MARLINS TAKING A CHANCE ON DIBBLE

If he had it to do over again, Rob Dibble might skip that Megadeth concert he attended in 1993. Or at least not have stood so close to the speakers.

Dibble, a former All-Star relief pitcher, has struggled mightily since rupturing an eardrum in 1993. He isn't sure if the injury happened at the concert or when he jumped into a swimming pool that same year.

The Marlins don't know if anything can be done to correct the problem, but they're willing to take the chance - perhaps dreaming of Dibble and his 95-mph fastball setting up closer Robb Nen in the not-too-distant future.

Dibble, 32, was signed to a Triple-A contract Sunday and joined the Marlins in Atlanta, where he'll throw under the direction of pitching coach Larry Rothschild before returning to South Florida with the team after this series.

"He's a gamble," General Manager Dave Dombrowski said, "but because of Larry Rothschild and his past situation with him, we decided to sign him. We don't really have anything to lose."

They have plenty to gain if Dibble can regain some semblance of the form he had while saving 75 games for Cincinnati from 1991-93 as part of the "Nasty Boys" bullpen. Rothschild served as the Reds' bullpen coach then, and Marlins trainer Larry Starr also was with the Reds until 1993.

"This is a great situation for me, like coming home," Dibble said following a throwing session here Tuesday. "Larry Rothschild knows me better than I know myself. And Larry Starr knows my shoulder better than anybody else."

Dibble missed the 1994 season after shoulder surgery and has had control problems since. Dibble said his arm is healthy, but his pitching mechanics are not. He said he's listened to too many coaches trying to make too many corrections in his form, and he and Rothschild are already working on getting his throwing motion back to what it was with the Reds.

This spring, Dibble walked off the mound and quit after an outing in which he faced five minor-leaguers and threw one strike, hitting two batters and walking three. He decided to take a one-month leave of absence and went home to Connecticut to spend time with his family and ponder his future.

Dibble said he was already thinking about calling Rothschild when the phone rang and the Marlins' pitching coach was on the other end. Rothschild said there is no timetable for Dibble, who won't report to Charlotte until doctors run tests on his ear and Rothschild can observe and work with him more.

Mantei in limbo

Reliever Matt Mantei could be shipped to the minors as soon as the conclusion of tonight's game, but he's trying hard not to think about it.

"It's very difficult," he said Tuesday, the 17th of 18 days Mantei needs on the 25-man roster to fulfill Rule 5 draft requirements. "I don't know. It feels weird. I'll just go down to Triple-A and bust my butt to come back."

The assignment might not come before Friday, because Terry Mathews (strained calf) isn't quite ready to come off the 15-day disabled list. Mathews (calf muscle) threw two simulated innings Tuesday and will throw again Thursday. He may be activated without going to Charlotte for any rehab assignments.

Mantei, after struggling during spring training, has a 6.75 ERA in three regular-season appearances, with eight strikeouts and seven walks in 51/3 innings. After fulfilling Rule 5 requirements tonight, the Marlins can send the 22-year-old down to the minors without exposing him to other teams.

"He's still young, and we like him a great deal," Dombrowski said.

Nomo set for Saturday

The Dodgers confirmed Hideo Nomo will start Saturday against the Marlins at Joe Robbie Stadium. The Marlins are expected to start Pat Rapp. ... CF Devon White returned after missing three starts with a strained hamstring.